Michael J. Blea, MD

I am a general surgeon at NYU Langone Health, specializing in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery within the Hernia and Abdominal Wall Program. My clinical interests include robotic-assisted benign foregut surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstruction, including hernia repair. I care for patients with both primary and recurrent hernias, as well as complex abdominal wall conditions that require advanced reconstructive techniques.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in biology and biomedical engineering, followed by my medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. I completed my general surgery residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and subsequently completed fellowship training in advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery focusing on hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut.

I am a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, and the American Hernia Society. In 2022, I was accredited as a master surgeon in both hernia surgery and robotic surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation, reflecting my commitment to surgical quality, safety, and excellence.

My approach to patient care centers on understanding each patient’s individual goals and developing a treatment plan tailored to their needs. I believe in clear communication and shared decision-making, helping patients understand their condition and treatment options so they can feel empowered and confident in their care. I am dedicated to advancing minimally invasive and abdominal wall surgery while providing compassionate, personalized care to every patient.

In addition to caring for my own patients, I am passionate about sharing knowledge and advancing minimally invasive surgery beyond my own practice. I regularly travel to teach and train surgeons and hospital systems in robotic surgery and minimally invasive approaches to hernia repair. Through surgical education, hands-on training, and collaboration with other surgeons, my goal is to help expand access to advanced surgical techniques and promote high-quality, safe, and reproducible care. I believe that teaching other surgeons not only strengthens the field as a whole, but ultimately allows more patients to benefit from advances in minimally invasive and robotic surgery.